Indigenous Knowledge for Effective Education Program
$1.2 Million Grant Helps Native American Students Complete Teaching Degree
Cultural Expression
U of I Grad Returns Home to Teach Native Students Through Art
Why IKEEP?
University of Idaho IKEEP Scholars give testimony of what makes it a great program.
Grace-Based Teaching
Grad Seeks to Become the Teacher She Needed
Indigenous Knowledge for Effective Education Program
Indigenous Knowledge for Effective Education Program (IKEEP) at the University of Idaho prepares and certifies culturally responsive Indigenous teachers to meet the unique needs of Native American students in K-12 schools. IKEEP scholars are part of a teaching cohort committed to innovation in indigenous education.
“Indigenous students need to see themselves [...] in front of the classroom, in the hallways, in community, but also see how they can balance the classroom, the community, the culture.” IKEEP Alumna
Program Details
The benefits of IKEEP participation include:
Financial Aid
- Tuition support
- Out-of-state tuition waiver (MOU tribal members)
- Monthly living stipend for qualifying individuals
- Stipends for program travel
- Assistance with books & teaching materials
Teacher Preparation Support
- Collaborate with Indigenous serving school districts
- Promote innovative trends in tribal education
- Specialized academic advising
- Tutoring
- Indigenous centered coursework
- In-service/pre-service mentorship by indigenous teachers
- Participation in regional/national Indian Education conferences
- Attend American Indian Language Development Institute
Post-Graduation Support
- Support continued up to two years after graduating, such as:
- High-quality mentoring, coaching and consultation services for IKEEP teachers
- Feedback sessions on performance
- Periodic meetings or seminars to enhance collaboration, feedback and support
- Access to research materials and information on teaching and learning
- Support accessing induction services from local districts/tribal education agencies
- Enrolled member or descendant of a federally or state recognized tribe
- Are enrolled (or be eligible to enroll) in pre-service teacher training via a BS or Master's of Education program at the University of Idaho
- Be able to complete teacher training program within two years so you can access two years of induction services post-graduation
If you're interested in applying to IKEEP, reach out to IKEEP staff as the first step in your application process. We recommend contacting IKEEP as soon as possible.
Step 1
Contact the IKEEP office in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction, University of Idaho College of Education by email (acomojacobson@uidaho.edu), phone (208-885-0175), or in-person (ED 203).
Step 2
Complete the online IKEEP application. IKEEP is not accepting applications at this time. Application info will be posted during the next recruitment season, TBD. Please contact the program manager if you would like further information in the meantime.
Step 3
Complete and submit admission application to the University of Idaho (applies to transfer students and Master’s + Certification students)
Step 4
Complete your FAFSA.
For more information or apply for aid, visit the University of Idaho financial aid page.
Step 5
Complete and submit application to Teacher Preparation (selecting your certification program).
Native American/Alaskan Native youths experience greater academic success when their cultures, languages and community values are included in classroom pedagogy.
With the support of the University of Idaho’s MOU Tribes (Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Confederated Tribes of the Yakama Nation, Kalispel Tribe of Indians, Kootenai Tribe, Nez Perce Tribe, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, Shoshone-Paiute Tribes and Spokane Tribe of Indians), the purpose of IKEEP is to recruit, prepare, certify and place culturally responsive American Indian educators into teaching positions in schools with high populations of Native American students. IKEEP supports scholars from additional Tribal communities as well.
- Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty in WA State
- Indian Education for All (Montana)
- Tribal History/Shared History (Oregon)
- Indigenous Teacher Education is Nation Building pdf
- Indigenous Teacher Mentorship in the Rural West pdf
- Everyday Acts of Nation Building pdf
- Tribal Nation Building and the Role of Faculty pdf